News

Man charged after elderly woman is sexually assaulted by intruder at Oldham care home

The incident happened in the early hours of the morning on New Year's Day.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 3rd January 2023

A man has been charged after a care home resident in Oldham was sexually assaulted in the early hours of the morning on New Year’s Day.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed that 21-year-old Jake Astley, of no fixed address, has been charged with one count of knowingly trespassing on a premises with intent to commit a sexual offence, one count of committing an offence with the intention of committing a sexual offence, one count of affray, and one count of assault.

It comes after police were called to a report of a serious sexual assault of a resident at a care home in Oldham at 2:40am on New Year’s Day (Sunday 1 January 2023).

Astley was arrested at the scene, and has been remanded in custody.

“This incident will have understandably caused distress to the care home residents and their families, staff and wider community,” Superintendent Philip Hutchinson, of GMP’s Oldham District, said.

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“Our thoughts are very much with the victim and her family, who are being supported by specialist officers.

“I would like to reassure the community that this type of incident is very rare and we have been working closely with our partner agencies, including Oldham Council, to ensure the safety and security of the residents and we are working around the clock to make sure the offender faces justice”.

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The 21-year-old will next appear at Tameside Magistrates Court today.

GMP is also appealing for information, and is urging anyone who may know anything about this incident to contact police on 101, or report via the GMP website’s reporting tool – www.gmp.police.uk – quoting log number 661 of 01/01/2023.

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Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – GMP

News

‘Unsettled week’ of wind, rain, and snow could greet Mancs into the new year

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

A mix of weather conditions could be expected to hit the north across the new year weekend – including wind, rain, and snow.

As Greater Manchester prepares to enter 2025, it looks like we’ll be bringing our usual moody weather along with us too, as starting today and running right through until the end of this week, Mancs can expect some not-so-pleasant conditions to accompany this party season.

The Met Office has described this period as ‘an unsettled week’.

While forecasters are encouraging people to keep checking for further weather updates where possible, thankfully, this turbulent spell of weather is only predicted to stick around until Thursday (2 January) – with no warnings issued for this Friday (3 January) or the weekend so far.

In a video shared to the Met Office’s X account, the visual shows that the most severe cases of wet and windy conditions look like on New Year’s Day itself (Wednesday 1 January), where there is even some snow forecasted for certain areas.

“Almost the entire UK is covered by at least one weather warning during the coming week,” warned Andy Page, who is the Chief Forecaster at the Met Office.

He continued: “With lots of celebrations and people on the move over the coming days, we are urging everyone to keep checking the forecast so they can update their plans.”

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How ever you plan to celebrate the New Year season, make sure you double check weather reports and updates on the Met Office’s official site first.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

News

Picturesque Greater Manchester railway granted £1.3m to restore historic viaduct

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

One of Greater Manchester’s most picturesque railways has been given substantial funding to restore a historic viaduct along the line.

As part of the Government‘s wider Plan for Change, the Bury-based heritage railway, East Lancashire Railway (ELR), has been awarded more than £1.3 million in grants to carry out urgent repair work to the Higher Woodhill Viaduct – which is on the edge of Burrs Country Park, in the heart of the stunning Irwell Valley.

Repairs to the historic viaduct, which goes past the site of the former Higher Woodhill Mill, were last carried out all the way back in 1932.

But now, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has granted the funding for restoration through its ‘Community Ownership Fund’, alongside three local authorities from Bury, Rochdale, and the nearby Rossendale in Lancashire, all putting in a further £276,000 in match funding.

Important supporters of the railway, such as members of the public and local businesses, have also added a few thousand pounds more to the project.

While inspections to the structure and safety of the viaduct are carried out on a regular basis, ELR assures, it was flagged earlier in 2024 that long-term repairs would be required to allow for the “continued level of use” of steam and heritage diesel trains along the line.

Speaking on the funding being granted, Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of East Lancashire Railway, commented: “This is a major investment for the future and a massive vote of confidence for our dedicated volunteers and staff to help secure the railway’s infrastructure for years to come.

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“Now with this fantastic news, we are able to continue running our award-winning events and services without disruption for future generations to enjoy, thanks to the generosity and support of the East Lancashire Railway Trust, our local community partners and supporters, as well as local and national politicians.”

Essential maintenance works are due to start next year in the spring.

Featured Image – Supplied

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